Secretive PAC endorses aldermanic candidates

A secretive political action committee seeking to be a major player in Chicago aldermanic races has released its endorsements for the Feb. 22 election.

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For A Better Chicago PAC has raised $865,000 for aldermanic candidates. The PAC plugs itself as “an issue advocacy organization, working to ensure taxpayers and their families, businesses and the entire city are engaged and educated on the issues shaping the future of Chicago.”

For A Better Chicago PAC isn’t telling who its donors are, and, under state law, it doesn’t have to. The chairman is Greg Goldner, founder of Resolute Consulting, a communications and public affairs firm. He managed Mayor Richard M. Daley’s reelection in 2003. He also managed mayoral contender Rahm Emanuel’s first congressional campaign. That’s fueled speculation that Emanuel is stealthily behind For A Better Chicago. Emanuel’s campaign says he isn’t.

Meanwhile, labor and business have also thrown their weight into aldermanic races that have several open seats. The Service Employees International Union plans to spend millions in the election cycle. The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce PAC has also endorsed aldermanic candidates. Of the candidates endorsed by For A Better Chicago PAC, SEIU didn’t endorse Beale, Thompson or Austin. The chamber did not endorse Graham or Thompson.

In the 3rd and 4th wards all three groups endorsed Pat Dowell and Will Burns. But in another South Side ward, the 7th, Sandi Jackson only received an endorsement from For A Better Chicago PAC. The group did not endorse candidates in uncontested races such as in the 14th Ward, where Ald. Ed Burke has long served. In the 50th Ward, For A Better Chicago PAC and the SEIU endorsed challenger Debra Silverstein. The chamber chose longtime incumbent Bernard Stone.

For a Better Chicago PAC endorses the following candidates for the February 22nd municipal election: